A FAMILY said a fond farewell to one of the region's top detectives yesterday.

Respects were paid to retired Chief Superintendent Jack Collinson MBE, who died last weekend, in a service at Hunwick, Bishop Auckland, in County Durham.

The 83-year-old, who started his career in Bishop Auckland, went on to solve crimes across the region before retiring as head of Bishop Aukland police in 1977.

He leaves a widow, Sally, two daughters, Bernice Young and Christine Heads, sons-in-law Jim Young and Melvyn Heads, and grandchildren, Andrew Young and Victoria Heads.